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The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).

  • FLNG 490 is an approved GE Capstone substitution.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 28-44 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

This major can be completed with a minimum of 28 upper-division units.

Language Competence Prerequisite: 0-16 units

Only upper-division Spanish courses count toward the Spanish major. The prerequisite for all upper-division Spanish courses is SPAN 202 (Fourth Semester Spanish) or its equivalent language competence. Students with little or no previous language preparation or competence must complete some or all of the following courses.

0-4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 is not available for credit to students with two or more years of Spanish within the last three years.
Introduction to Spanish language and culture. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009113)
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or equivalent.
Continuation of SPAN 101. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009118)
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or equivalent.
Reviewing and expanding of language skills and cultural concepts introduced in SPAN 101 and SPAN 102. This course includes composition and reading. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009121)
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or equivalent.
Reviewing and expanding of language skills and cultural concepts introduced in SPAN 101, SPAN 102, and SPAN 201. This course includes composition and reading. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009120)

Note: Some or all of these courses may be waived by the Department through demonstrated language competence or previous high school or community college study. Students with one year of high school Spanish should enroll in SPAN 102; two years: SPAN 201; three years: SPAN 202. Please consult the department for proper level of placement.

Upper-Division Requirements: 28 units

4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisite: ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.
This course is the capstone of curricular requirements for Bachelor of Arts degrees in languages and cultural studies offered in the Department of International Languages, Literature's, and Cultures. In this course, students explore foundational disciplinary issues central to the study of languages and cultures and analyze how these intersect with their own specific field of study. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (021547)
Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent. May be taken concurrently with SPAN 321 and/or SPAN 303.
Intensive review of grammar and its application in composition. This course or its equivalent is a prerequisite for all other upper-division courses. Required of all majors and minors. 3 hours discussion. (009137)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Emphasis on fluency, style, and syntax. Required of all majors and minors. 3 hours discussion. (009139)
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; upper-division standing.
To be taken concurrently with any upper-division Spanish course. The course includes two components, the Spanish Subject Matter Assessment Exam and the Writing Proficiency Research Paper. The comprehensive exam covers Spanish language, Spanish linguistics, and Spanish and Latin American literature and culture. The Writing Proficiency Research Paper is an investigative/analytical essay in English on a major work of Hispanic literature. Students show mastery of the major areas of study in Spanish as well as the ability to investigate, plan and write essays using correct English and in a style suitable to literary analysis. 1 hour discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (009156)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. The works studied will be short stories, full-length plays, and Hispanic-American narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 341 and SPAN 342 are required of all majors and count as electives for the minor. Either fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009140)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. Works studied will be the novel, one-act plays, and Peninsular Spanish narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 342 is required of all majors and fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009141)

15 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent. May be taken concurrently with SPAN 301 and/or SPAN 321.
Intensive practice in the spoken language at an advanced level of proficiency. Guided conversations and discussions, debates, and speeches. Enrollment will be limited. Native speakers should consult with instructor before enrolling. 3 hours discussion. (009153)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
A survey of the fields of general linguistics. Theory and practice of language analysis. Relationship between language and culture. Principles of phonology, morphology, and syntax of Spanish language. 3 hours discussion. (009142)
Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent. May be taken concurrently with SPAN 301 and/or SPAN 303.
Phonology (phonetics and phonemics), linguistic geography, and related areas as they apply to the learning and teaching of Spanish. 3 hours discussion. (009150)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301 or faculty permission.
Introduction to the historical and cultural heritage of Spain, to selected figures in the arts and public life, and to the ways and traditions of Spaniards today. Readings, reports, and discussion. 3 hours discussion. (009152)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301 or faculty permission.
A survey of the cultural, social, economic, and political heritage of Latin America and its evolution into contemporary Latin American society. 3 hours discussion. (009155)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. The works studied will be short stories, full-length plays, and Hispanic-American narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 341 and SPAN 342 are required of all majors and count as electives for the minor. Either fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009140)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. Works studied will be the novel, one-act plays, and Peninsular Spanish narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 342 is required of all majors and fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009141)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301, SPAN 320.
This is a senior-level Spanish course that introduces students to current theories of foreign language learning and implications of key research for classroom practice. Students learn strategies for teaching Spanish, including the utilization of appropriate technology. In addition to lecture and discussion, students complete the Early Field Experience hours required for entry to a credential program. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours clinical. (020141)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Study of leading short story writers from Spain and Latin America, with background readings and reports on representative authors. Emphasis on contemporary works. 3 hours seminar. (009159)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Readings, discussions, reports, and oral interpretation of major dramatic works of Latin America and Spain. 3 hours discussion. (009161)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Analysis of representative novels from Latin America and Spain. 3 hours discussion. (009167)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Study of the leading poets of Spain and Latin America. 3 hours discussion. (009172)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Readings and reports on literature of Mexico from pre-Columbian to contemporary literature. 3 hours discussion. (009168)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301, SPAN 302; either SPAN 341 or SPAN 342 (may be taken concurrently).
Critical analysis of literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, utilizing reading, discussion, oral reports, and written projects. 3 hours lecture. (009170)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
This course is also offered as CHST 454.
A study of the Chicano people as reflected in selected films and literature. Discussions will be in Spanish, readings in English and Spanish, reports in Spanish. 3 hours seminar. (001984)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Cervantes' novel and his amiable madman in the larger context of literature and culture. Commentary on contemporary history, society, and politics. 3 hours discussion. (009165)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Women in Spanish-speaking society. An approach to culture via a study of women as literary subjects and as writers. The idealization and reality of their existence as reflected through Spanish and Latin American literature. 3 hours discussion. (009182)
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.
Students will consider the elements that constitute literary and cinematic masterpieces by examining films based on a variety of texts: epic poetry, drama, short story, legend, novel, zarzuela, and filmscript. The films will represent the cultural and linguistic diversity in areas of Spain and Latin America. 3 hours discussion. (009183)
Prerequisites: Recommended for majors and graduate students, some minors upon completion of SPAN 302 or equivalent or faculty permission.
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Provides students with the opportunity to develop their language proficiency in Spanish and enables them to use their language skills in on-the-job situations. Limited to majors, graduate students, and selected minors upon completion of SPAN 302. A maximum of 3 units may be counted toward the major. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (009184)

3 units max allowed for SPAN 489.

Any other upper-division Spanish (SPAN) courses not taken previously, to include at least two 400-level courses.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

  1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
  2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
  3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
  4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
  5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
  6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.

Catalog Cycle:15